This page provides details of what's new in HCD for z/OS V1R7.
Hardware support
HCD supports Eserver zSeries IBM System z9 Enterprise Class (z9 EC) processors (type 2094) with multiple subchannel sets.
Support of multiple subchannel sets
Starting with z9 EC processors, users can define an additional subchannel set with ID 1 (SS 1) on top of the existing subchannel set (SS 0) in a channel subsystem. With this additional subchannel set, you can configure more than 2*63K devices for a channel subsystem. With z/OS V1R7, you can define Parallel Access Volume (PAV) alias devices (device types 3380A, 3390A) of the 2105, 2107 and 1750 DASD control units to SS 1.
Support of OSA NCP channel path type
A new channel path type OSN (OSA NCP) is introduced which provides support for OS logical partitions that need to communicate with an external network using SNA protocols. This functionality was earlier provided by the 374x control units, which have been withdrawn from market. The NCP function is now being emulated in Linux via the Communication Controller for Linux (CCL) on zSeries.
Supporting more than 160 TCP/IP stacks for OSD channels
You can now decide to have more than 160 TCP/IP stacks supported with OSD channels. This is done by disabling priority queuing for these channels. If priority queuing is disabled, the channel can support four times as many queues (4 * 480 = 1920 subchannels) corresponding to four times as many TCP/IP stacks (4 * 160 = 640) as with enabled queue prioritization.
When defining or changing channel paths of type OSD for XMP processors, HCD prompts you with a dialog where you can decide whether you require more than 160 TCP/IP stacks for the channel in question.
Also, you can now connect more than one control unit to an OSD channel.
IODF size reduction
Due to the fact of increasing device definitions in the IODF, the IODF size limit of 2 GB is about to be approached. In addition, large IODFs involve a series of disadvantages. Therefore, z/OS V1.7 HCD starts using the new V5 IODF format, representing devices in device groups rather than containing individual device definitions. This significantly reduces the size of IODFs and improves the processing performance of large configurations.
Working with device groups
The HCD dialog reflects the new IODF structure in the I/O Device List (see “Defining device data” on page 139). The initial I/O Device List shows the device groups and lets you perform actions on the device groups as well as navigate to the single devices.
Enhanced CHPID aggregate function
The CHPID aggregate function now allows you to aggregate just a subset of control units from a source to a target CHPID. Also, the target CHPID may be connected to a different dynamic switch than the source CHPID.
Miscellaneous enhancements
Local download of an IOCDS:
An IOCDS download can now be performed locally even if a SNA address has been defined to the processor.
Definition of FICON loopback port configuration:
For a FICON switch matrix, HCD now allows you to define a dynamic port connection from a FICON port to itself (loopback connection).
Enhanced CTC Connection List and Report:
The CTC Connection List/Report now also displays point-to-point CTC connections.
Enhanced View IODF panel:
Besides the IODF version, the View IODF panel now shows the percentage of the used space that is actually utilized.
Enhanced Available IODFs panel:
The Available IODFs panel, invoked by prompting for IODFs on the HCD Primary Task Selection Panel, provides sort keys which you can use to sort the IODF list by IODF name, allocated size or creation date.
Improved PFSHOW handling:
The PFSHOW command setting within HCD is retained across HCD sessions. In addition, the PFSHOW setting that is active before the invocation of HCD is saved and reset upon exit of HCD.
Automatic IODF check:
There is a new profile option, CHECK_IODF, which you can specify to perform an automatic check for consistent IODF data when the currently allocated IODF is switched or the HCD dialog is terminated.
Counting rows of filtered lists:
On panels that provide the Filter action bar choice, you can now use a new pull down choice Count rows on (filtered) lists to receive a message that displays the number of rows matching the current filter criteria.
Prompt for unused device numbers:
On the Add Device panel, you can use a prompt (PF4) to retrieve unused device numbers and ranges in the current IODF. You can select a free device number and range from the displayed list for the definition of new devices.
CSS / OS Device Compare Report enhancement:
The CSS / OS Device Compare report now provides an indication for devices that relate to the limiting LPAR via CHPIDs, but which are excluded from this LPAR with an explicit device candidate list and which therefore are not accessible from the current CSS.
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